Afternoon, gang.
I started the original thread on this subject over on the old Forum:-
https://oldforum.puppylinux.com/viewtop ... cc1f63#top
I'm resurrecting it here because I think it's a 'fun' one.....and also because I have, indeed, treated myself to something else.
Okay, it's headphones again.....but this time, I've gone a bit further upmarket. (Well; kind of...)
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I reported on how well the Logitech H340 "headset" (with built-in 'boom' mike that swings up or down as & when you need it) worked with Puppy. There's none of that messing about with trying to get usable levels, etc, in Retrovol, because these have their own, built-in sound card in the somewhat chunky connector:-
https://oldforum.puppylinux.com/viewtop ... 4#p1011264
Beautiful headphones, and I've been very happy with 'em for the last coupla years. However (there's always a 'but', isn't there..? ) .....it's that damn lead again.
I went wireless for mice a LONG time ago. Ditto with keyboards, though more recently with these:-
https://oldforum.puppylinux.com/viewtop ... 7#p1010617
So; since I keep tripping over the headphone lead every time I leave the machine - there's not a lot of space in my room; the rig is under and on the study desk in my room; I sit on the bed to use it! - I figured it was time to finally go all-wireless for the user-peripherals.
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I wanted a set of the current-type, full-cup headphones.....but I wanted a 'headset' (to take care of the microphone side of things), AND they had to be wireless. This was the stinger, if you like; there's plenty out there that are wireless, but invariably they're Bluetooth.....and I simply didn't want the hassle of messing about trying to get Bluetooth working in every Pup. (My Bluetooth is part of a combo wireless/Bluetooth card, and by all accounts this thing is a complete PITA to set-up correctly under Linux, so I decided to forgo that 'pleasure'!)
I wanted something with a simple wireless dongle. Long story short, this cut down the range of choices quite drastically, but I DID strike lucky. Amazon do a range of headphones from a Chinese company called SOMiC; most of their headphones are 'gamer'-type items, but I managed to find a set that were rather less garish & 'in-your-face' than many. Okay, so they've got some fancy LED lighting strips on the side of the ear-cups, but these can be switched off.
Most importantly, these work via a standard, 2.4 GHz wireless dongle.....and, again, they have their own built-in sound card, which makes setting-up via Retrovol super-easy. Select the card with Kirk's MultipleSoundCardWizard, and just set the controls up.....all two of them; PCM volume & Mic capture level, just like the H340.
Best of all, the boom mike itself is detachable, so you only need to plug it in (via a standard, 3.5 mm jack plug) as & when you need it. Plug it in, and switch it to active via another button at the back of the left-hand ear cup. Bob's yr uncle.....it just works, straight away. (I'm not too sure about the fact that the microphone 'head' lights up with another fancy, blue LED panel when in use, but I guess I can live with it! ) Switch to 'inactive', and unplug when you're done. Easy-peasy.
Skype, Google's 'Meet' & 'Duo', Zoom.....they all just work with this microphone. Which is what you want.
There's a small range of audio level presets available, again controlled via another button on the left ear-cup. It cycles through these with each subsequent button-press. (I had to figure most of this out from the website, 'cos the manual is all in Chinese. Go figure.)
They 'power-off' automatically after a few minutes inactivity. Press & hold the left-cup power button for about 3 seconds, and the wireless connection re-enables itself. No muss, no fuss. Perfect.
SOMiC website page for the GS401
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I thought the H340's audio-quality was good, but these are divine; dare I say it, but they're even better than the set of open-back Sennheiser headphones I used to use with my AKAI hi-fi system, back in the 80s/90s.
50mm (2") drivers give lovely rich bass, and the treble is crisp & sharp. You can select from 'Live', 'Game' or 'Video' level settings via the 'Mode' button on the left ear-cup (this last one has, I fancy, some degree of built-in 'Surround sound'; it's the recommended setting for watching any kind of film, video or live stream, such as NetFlix. It really enhances the experience, too.)
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All-in-all, given the build-quality, range of options (you can even use it in 'wired' mode - they supply a cable for this, so you have the choice of wired OR wireless with these), the detachable mike, 8-10hr battery life, and the magical sound quality, well; for around GBP £45, I think these are a very good investment if you're serious about your PC audio. I'd definitely recommend them.....to anyone.
Amazon web page for SOMiC GS401 headphones
Mike.